DACA recipients are ineligible for cash payments under the CARES Act

Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) will eligible to receive federal government “stimulus checks” under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act.

These payments will actually be tax rebates, therefore eligibility will be determined by IRS rules. Eligible individuals will receive $1,000, couples who file joint returns will receive $2,400, and additional $500 payments will be made for every qualifying child.

The IRS page on Nonresident Aliens defines the term as follows, with emphasis added: A nonresident alien is an alien who has not passed the green card test or the substantial presence test.

DACA recipients are illegal immigrants, therefore they do not get green cards. A person who receives a green card becomes a lawful permanent resident of the United States. The official name of the “green card” is Permanent Resident Card.

DACA recipients are classified by the IRS as nonresident aliens, therefore they will not be eligible for coronavirus government stimulus payments.